Clementine de verb sapio



N0. 609,59l. I Patented Aug. 23, I898. C. DE V; SAPIO.

CORSET.

(Application filed Nov 16. 1897.)

(No Model.)

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NITED STATES PATENT FFICFE.

CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 609,591, dated August 23, 1898.

Application filed November 16, 1897. Serial No. 658,670. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLEMENTINE DE VERE SAPIO, of Paris, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corsets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a corset which is adapted to impart a desirable shape to the figure, including any desired contraction of the Waist, without preventing the natural expansion of the diaphragm and the free action of the respiratory organs.

The invention consists in the improved construction which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate like parts or features in all the views, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a corset embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a rear elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation.

My improved corset is made, as usual, in two general parts detachably connected at the front and back. Each half or part comprises a side section a, which is of practically inelastic although flexible construction and is formed to extend from the center of the back nearly around the body, its forward edge extending along the line a a, Fig. 1. The sections a are provided with the usual or anysuitable stiffening-strips, and their rear edges are provided with means for detachable connection to each other, such as eyelet-holes and lacing-cords passed through said holes.

I) I) represent the usual steels or stays which constitute the front edges of the corset, said stays having suitable meanssuch as, preferably, metallic ears I) and studs b whereby they may be detachably connected.v The stays b b are separated from the forward edges a a of the side sections a by intermediate parts, which give the central portion of the front of the corset a considerable degree of elasticity or freedom to expand and contract, my improvement residing in the improved construction of those portions, including the breastpockets,of the corset which intervene between the stays b and the front edges of the side sections a o, said portions being next described.

c 0 represent inelastic although flexible pieces which are attached to the upper portions of the front ends of the side sections a and to the upper portions of the stays Z? Z), V-shaped pieces 0, also of inelastic material, being preferably interposed between the pieces 0 and the stays, said pieces 0 c, in connection with the pieces 0, forming the breastpockets and aiding in imparting a desirable shape to the figure.

c 0 represent inelastic pieces which are attached to the lower portions of the front edges of the side sections a and to the lower portions of the stays b b.

Between the upper pieces 0 c and the lower pieces 0 c are openings which are bridged or crossed by straps or pieces (Z d, composed of elastic fabric, said pieces yieldingly connecting the forward edges'of the side sections a a with the stays b I) along the space between the pieces 0 c and permitting the expansion of the front portion of the corset between the pieces 0 0 I have here shown a series of elastic straps d in each of the said openings; but it is obvious that a single piece or gore of elastic fabric may be inserted in each opening, instead of a series of pieces. The elastic pieces may be sewed orotherwise permanently attached to the corset, or they may be detachably secured by a separable fastening, such as those used for gloves, or by any other suitable means.

It will be observed that the space between the pieces 0 0 extends above and below the waist-line of the corset, so that the front portion of the corset has two elastic sections extending across the waist-line and above and below it. The parts of the corset above and below these elastic sections are inelastic, so that the corset has no automatic expansibility at its upper and lower ends.

I rely upon the inelastic upper and lower end portions of the corset to impart a shapely appearance and the intermediate elastic sections at the front portions of the corset to permit the natural expansion of the diaphragm and the free action of the respiratory organs.

I claim A corset comprising the side sections. a a of practically inelastic construction, having provisions at their rear edges for adjustable connection with each other at the back, the vertical front stay-pieces I) b, inelastic pieces 0 connecting the lower portions of the said stay-pieces with the side sections a a, inelastic breast-pockets between the upper portions of the side sections a, a and the stay-pieces, and elastic insertions which diverge in Width from the pieces 0 0 toward the upper inelastic connections, whereby the upper and lower end portions of the corset, including the breast-pockets, are inelastic and have the 10 desired adjustable permanency of form, while the portions directly over the respiratory 0rgans at the front of the corset are elastic.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 8th day of [5 November, A. D. 1897.

OLEMENTINE DE VERE SAPIO. Witnesses:

CHAS. BEACH, SETH BQBRADLEY. 

